As we gear up for Operation Safe Driver Week, let’s take a look at what this safety initiative is all about, why the focus on speeding is critical (both to safety and to save you money), and how to best prepare for it.
What is Safe Driver Week?
Operation Safe Driver Week is an initiative by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in an attempt to increase roadway safety by decreasing the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV)-related crashes, deaths, and injuries throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico caused by unsafe driving behaviors. This year, the focus is on speeding - a major factor in unsafe driving that typically accounts for over a quarter of the total traffic fatalities.
When is Safe Driver Week?
This year, Operation Safe Driver Week takes place from July 10-16.
While it’s important every day, Operation Safe Driver Week is an opportunity to take action to comply with the law and best safety practices. Let’s take a look at what to expect during Operation Safe Driver Week and how you can stay safe for yourself and others!
What Can I Expect during Safe Driver Week?
Similar to International Roadcheck, it's a time when enforcement officers will inspect a higher volume of commercial motor vehicles and look for dangerous driving behaviors. If they find any violations, they will issue you a ticket or a warning.
Both types of violations come in the form of points on your CSA, PSP, and MVR scores and negatively affect the safety scores for both you as the driver and as the carrier, and ultimately, your ability to do business with shippers, brokers, and customers.
You can learn more about why CSA scores matter and how they work.
What are the Most Common Unsafe Driving Violations?
- Speeding
- Failure to wear your seat belt
- Following too closely
- Restricted lane usage
- Cell phone usage
- Failure to signal
What Should I Know about Speeding?
Here are a few statistics:
- Speeding is the most frequent driver-related crash factor for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles.
- In 2020, traffic crashes killed 38,824 people-- the highest number of crash fatalities since 2007. While this number is lower than in previous years, the number of fatalities is 6.8% higher.
- Also in 2020, in 45% of the crashes, drivers of passenger vehicles were engaged in at least one of the following behaviors: speeding, alcohol impairment, or failing to wear a seat belt.
As the driver, you‚'re in full control of speeding. Your actions and behaviors behind the wheel of obeying the speed limit at all times and practicing safe driving will save lives.
How Can Slowing Down Save You Money?
Speeding is incredibly dangerous from a safety perspective. It also hurts your bottom line.
The faster you drive, the greater your fuel expenses and the lower your income.
ATBS, a tax and accounting firm for owner-operators, calculates that the engine burns an extra 1/10 of a gallon of fuel for every mile driven over 55 mph. Speeding also leads to higher maintenance costs for your engine, tires, and suspension, and brakes.
You’re in full control of your speed. Slowing down for safety is reason enough, but you will also keep more of the hard-earned money you deserve.
You're in full control of your speed. Slowing down for safety is reason enough, but you will also keep more of the hard-earned money you deserve.
How Can Drivers Prepare for Safe Driver Week?
Keeping the focus of speeding in mind, below are some ideas to help avoid delays, warnings, or citations, both during Operation Driver Safety Week and beyond:
1. Practice Safe Driving Habits
Make sure you are familiar with and comply with all traffic laws while driving, including not violating any of the six listed above (speeding, failure to wear your seat belt, following too closely, restricted lane usage, cell phone usage, failure to signal).
2. Complete Your Daily Pre- and Post-Trips
It may seem tempting to skip your pre- and post-trip inspections, but these are some of the most important things you can do to stay safe on the road. Not only is it the law to complete these inspections, but it's a way to uncover any unknown mechanical issues before heading out on the road. These issues must be taken care of before you start your trip, however, catching them earlier rather than later will help you save time and money.
3. Complete Your Quarterly Inspections
Staying on schedule with maintenance is another way to prepare for Safe Driver Week. Your regular DOT Inspections scrutinize the condition of your vehicle and ensure that it's in the best possible condition for you to drive. Having good equipment that you can trust and rely on can bring you peace of mind when out on the road, positively affecting your actions and behaviors behind the wheel.
4. Get Adequate Sleep
Not getting enough sleep puts you at risk for drowsy or distracted driving. Experts recommend 7 hours or more a night. It will make you more alert during your driving shift to keep you and the motoring public safe.
5. Plan Your Routes Carefully
Planning out your routes and knowing exactly where you’re headed will allow for safer driving.
Be sure to leave enough time for any interruptions or delays that may come up.
It’s always a good idea to have your route accessible offline in the event that you lose internet connectivity. You can also plan out a secondary route as a backup.
6. Stay Professional
Make sure both you and your equipment remain professional at all times. Keeping your tractor and trailer clean will give you pride in your equipment and respect from the Owner-Operator community. Control your behavior and stay calm and collected - even during the most challenging of times.
How Can Carriers Prepare for Safe Driver Week?
Carriers of any size can help their fleets prepare for Safe Driver Week and to minimize violations through the following actions:
- Audit drivers' HOS to ensure compliance
- Audit drivers’ medical cards and CDLs are valid and not expired
- Audit maintenance reports to ensure prevention
- Provide extra communication, education, and resources on safe driving practices, CVSA inspections, and the importance of CSA scores
- Educate and prepare drivers to answer questions on their logs, trips, cargo, insurance, registration, license, and their vehicle
- Offer incentives for achieving zero violations
Final Thoughts
Safe Driver Week is about saving lives caused by traffic accidents on the roadways, many of which involve commercial vehicles. It is an educational awareness effort intended to make us safer operators in order to reduce deaths on the roads. Our actions to improve safety for all matter, and this is our time to take this seriously, prepare, and ultimately, save lives.
Other Relevant Resources:
CVSA Inspections: Understanding and Preparing for Them
How to Roll Through International Roadcheck with Confidence, Ease, and Extra Cash!